will a 120/70/17 fit the front tire?

what does that middle number even mean?

[rictus01]

Yes it'll fit.

The middle number is the how high the tyre is (measured between the wheel rim and ground (or outside edge), it will made the wheel circumference slightly larger so your speedo will be a little out, but not by much.


Cheers Mark.

Yep I'm running a 120/70-17 Z6 on my front end. Turn in will be a little slow at first due to the increase in tire diameter but it's all good in the end.

[NedSVS]

If you want to restore the turn in, just drop the forks through the yokes 7 to 9mm. This corrects the geometry change caused by the slightly larger diameter tyre.

Originally Posted by Nexus242

Yep I'm running a 120/70-17 Z6 on my front end. Turn in will be a little slow at first due to the increase in tire diameter but it's all good in the end.

Why would it be slower? I put a 120/70 on and it sped the steering up.

because you have increased the rake (i think it is). basically the geometry of the bike has been changed and the result ISa slower turn in.

however if you had a squared off back tire or even front (although its rarer) and changed at the same time that will speed steering up no end

Andy

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

Why would it be slower? I put a 120/70 on and it sped the steering up.

It will speed up the steering as the tyre is now taller for a given width and therefore 'more pointy' so it drops in to corners quicker.

Not necessarily, as surely it would depend on the profile of the tyre. Which is why some tyres turn in faster than others.


.

[NedSVS]

The tyre profile is not necessarily different because it is a different width/height ratio; the sidewall may be just bigger or smaller. You generally won't find anyone racing on 60's front tyres as it makes the tyre to stiff (60's fronts probably came about as part of the fashion fad for low profile tyres). The 70's ratio allows a little more flex in the tyre when it hits bumps, soaking them up better than a 60's and helping the bike hold a better line.

Originally Posted by Mike1234

It will speed up the steering as the tyre is now taller for a given width and therefore 'more pointy' so it drops in to corners quicker.

For me the first week or two if felt harder to put her into a turn, like trying to turn a gyroscope. However a few more weeks later I put on a 636 shock which I believed help raise up my rear so I didn't have to drop my front end. I should also say have a Z6 which isn't nearly as pointy as say a Pilot Power which does affect your turn in.

Now I like the way it feels.